







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Hmm, I like pop, rock, funk. | |
| Does anyone else want something to drink? | |
| Do you feel a bit better now? | |
| Really? How do I wake you up? | |
| Look, you can watch the sunset best from this point. | |
| I'm really sorry to hear that, mate! | |
| I'm really sorry about that! | |
| It's about a web project. | |
| Can your mum handle the situation by herself? | |
| Sorry, madam, Friday is one of our busiest nights! | |
| Sure! Why is it so important to you? | |
| I don't know, probably put it in the bin. | |
| That's a very interesting combination. | |
| Do we have a sieve? | |
| That's why they're 50% off. | |
| No worries, I am not together with Mike. | |
| Are you the only smoker in the house? | |
| I've checked some, there is nothing I like so far. | |
| My landlords are a gay couple. | |
| Erm... Yeah... Sure! It's our first anniversary! | |